MSNBC host Willie Geist joins "Today" show

NEW YORK (AP) -- Willie Geist will no longer have to be at work way too early.

NBC News on Wednesday appointed Geist to be a host of the 9 a.m. hour of the "Today" show, where he joins Al Roker and Natalie Morales.

Geist has been a regular on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" and host of that network's 5:30 a.m. Eastern newscast, "Way Too Early." He'll turn over the early newscast to another host, but still appear on the 6 a.m. hour of "Morning Joe."

The new job begins Nov. 12. Geist says he's looking forward to joining the freewheeling discussion of the day that tops the third hour of "Today."